Pathways Volume 9 | December 2022

MSCCD Introduces

The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disables (MSCCD) is excited to introduce Families LEAD, a collaborative project of MSCCD, MS Parent Training & Information (MSPTI) Center, Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine (MCAM) with Dr. Victoria Kivlan, Pediatric Audiologist as the Director of this initiative, and Toni Hollingsworth, Project Director of the Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project (MH-VP). The project is funded by a sub-grant from the Mississippi State Department of Health. Families of children with disabilities will be provided stipends and travel reimbursement for their participation.

 

Families LEAD has three goals:

  • Recruit and train family members of children/youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs as Positive Advocates, Peer-to-Peer Mentors, Family Trainers, and/or Family Leaders across the state.
  • Provide technical assistance to ten trained Peer-to-Peer Mentors who provide support to matched families across the state.
  • Support Family Leaders, Family Trainers, and Peer-to-Peer Mentors to engage in leadership positions locally, regionally, and/or at the state level.

 

Families LEAD will achieve its goals by using a three-tier process that trains families to become effective advocates, serve on groups, and become leaders.

 

The first tier of training will be the Families LEAD Advocacy Academy held in January. The second tier will be Serving on Groups held in March. And the third tier will be Leading by Convening held in April.

 

For more information about Families LEAD or how to register for upcoming Advocacy Academies, call (601) 969-0601 or email Brittany Greer, MSCCD Project Support Coordinator, at brittany@mspti.org.

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JANUARY


Teaming and Collaborating Part 1: Participating on Your Child's Team

Tuesday, January 3

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Click here to register


Ideas to Improve Parent to Professional Communication

Thursday, January 5

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM


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Teaming and Collaborating Part 2: Family Members Working with Other Team Members

Tuesday, January 10

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


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I Don't Think My Child's IEP is Working as Well as it Should, What Do I Do?

Thursday, January 12

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM


Click here to register


Teaming and Collaborating Part 3: Sharing What You Know with Professionals

Tuesday, January 17

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Click here to register


Independent Living: Here We Come!

Thursday, January 19

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Click here to register


Section 504: Students with Special Healthcare Needs

Thursday, January 26

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Click here to register


How You Can Help Your Child Learn to Be a Good Self-Advocate

Tuesday, January 31

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Click here to register

MSPTI Tip Sheet

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Congratulations to the 2022

Torchbearer Award Winners!

T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability



The T.K. Martin Center has long been recognized as the premier center in Mississippi for assistive technology. Through their specialized multidisciplinary team, they help individuals across the lifespan participate in educational, vocational, and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose, while also advancing research in disability.

Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp



Founded in 1961, the Abbie Rogers Civitan Camp has grown through the decades, and now has three annual camp sessions, with nearly 1000 people in and out of the camp gates each year, and of those, 250 children and adults with disabilities.

Greenwood-Leflore Autism Spectrum Society (GLASS)



GLASS is a non-profit organization with the goal to educate, empower, support and advocate for individuals and families affected by autism. They host an annual autism awareness event, support groups and provide scholarships to teachers.

Martie Kwasny



With a vision to see people with disabilities included in church ministry, Martie founded both the Sonbeams program and Joni and Friends Mississippi. Through these two ministries, thousands have been served through respite, camp programs, family retreats, disability ministry conferences and their annual barnyard dance.

Dwight Owens


After a life altering car accident in 2005 at the age of 23, Dwight found the courage to turn his tragedy into triumph. He is now an author and well-known advocate for mental health awareness, alcohol & drug addiction prevention, and disability awareness.

South Central Community Action Agency (SCCAA)


Since 2001, SCCAA has provided programs and services for people with disabilities and other at-risk populations. They are being recognized for their leadership and innovation in their transportation program, enabling people with disabilities to participate more fully in their community.

MSPTI Resources

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Take our Survey!

Be a Guest on Our Video Series and

Inspire Others


Do you have a personal story that would inspire and encourage others?

 

Are you a young adult with a disability that has grown into a strong self-advocate?

 

Please reach out to MSPTI to share your experience and be a guest on our video series Journey of a Disability Warrior: The Road's We've Traveled. We would love to hear from you and help speak your message of hope and perseverance!

 

If you would like to be a guest, please email brittany@mspti.org. 

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